Pondera County, Montana
4 ZIP codes · Avg score 53/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-04
While Pondera County's situation varies by ZIP, its 4 ZIP codes collectively fall below the state average — addressing specific concerns starts with checking the system that serves a given address.
How Pondera County Compares
How Pondera County Compares
Pondera County scores 2 points below the Montana state average (55/100) and 15 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 15.3 (asthma 12.3%, diabetes 13.6%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $793, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.45% avg pipe failure probability, 75% of ZIPs at high risk
72.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $793
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
2,757 housing units in Pondera County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Pondera County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Pondera County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Pondera County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Pondera County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiber County Water District | 750 | 17 |
| 2 | Brady County Water Sewer District | 144 | 9 |
| 3 | Conrad Water Department | 2,500 | 8 |
| 4 | Ncmrwa Pondera Company Service Area | 144 | 8 |
| 5 | New Miami Colony | 130 | 8 |
10 total water systems serve Pondera County.
All ZIP Codes in Pondera County
4 ZIP codes tracked in Pondera County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 59486 | Valier | 63 | C | 6 | $145K |
| 2 | 59416 | Brady | 55 | C | 9 (3 health) | $165K |
| 3 | 59425 | Conrad | 55 | C | 8 (3 health) | $191K |
| 4 | 59448 | Heart Butte | 40 | D | 0 | $48K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Pondera County
Four sources — EPA, NSF, FEMA, CDC — drive the match.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 72.8% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Overview
Pondera County in Montana covers 4 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (53/100).
3 of 4 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 6 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Montana water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.
What You Can Do
Pondera County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
72.8% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.